Class Act: Maura Sheehan

Susquehanna Valley High School

Susquehanna Valley senior Maura Sheehan, the Class Act for March 17.

Paging Dr. Maura Sheehan. This 18-year-old is getting a head start on her future medical career with Broome-Tioga BOCES' New Visions Health Academy, where she's shadowing doctors and other health professionals. She became interested in medicine from being on the other end: as a patient in the hospital. Outside of the health care world, she loves to act and sing and is part of her school's Drama Club, chorus, Mathletes and Honor Society. She also teaches Sunday school at her church. Maura has three sisters and a brother, and is the daughter of Tim and Robin Sheehan.

What interested you in medicine?

When I was in ninth grade, I was diagnosed with diabetes and I stayed at Lourdes for a brief time. I was blown away about how nice the staff was and how well-educated. From then on, I wanted to go into health care.

What rotation did you just finish at New Visions?

The one on veterinary medicine. It was optional because most of us want to go into people medicine.

What has been your favorite rotation so far?

Definitely ambulance. I really like problem-solving. The emergency department side of medicine is about assessing the situation and finding out what is wrong, even when you don't have all the information available.

I hear you're a performer, too.

I've loved to act since the fifth grade. I started out in "Princess and the Pea Jr." This year, we're doing "Once Upon a Mattress," which is also based on "Princess and the Pea," so I've come full circle. It's just the high, the electricity of it.

So, do you plan to continue doing community theater?

Absolutely yes.

What kind of doctor do you hope to become?

Right now, I'm looking at becoming an emergency department physician.

Do you know where you're going to college?

I'm not sure yet. I really like Geneseo and Albright College. That's the top right now.

What do you do in your spare time?

I just really like spending time with my family, whatever we can do together. Sometimes it's just walking, or gardening or the movies.

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Class Act: Maura Sheehan

Paging Dr. Maura Sheehan. This 18-year-old is getting a head start on her future medical career with Broome-Tioga BOCES' New Visions Health Academy, where she's shadowing doctors and other health